Pricklekit's Apprentice Ceremony

With a single great leap, Leopardstar scaled the Highrock, and padded up to the very edge of the stone as he yowled out; "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"  This wasn't his usual place at a time like this; ever since he had become leader his deputy Marshstorm had handled the promotion of kits to apprentices, but the hard-working tom's unfortunate fall from grace due to green-cough left the golden spotted tabby tom to fill his place.  This was a job though to which he had never objected.  Seeing the faces of delighted kits ready to venture out into the big wide world always made his heart soar, though the usual burdens of responsibility and leadership quickly found their way between the cracks.  Will they survive the trials ahead?  Will they be loyal to their clan above all...will I someday lead them to their doom?  These questions though had become the norm to Leopardstar, and his face didn't crack as he waited for the chosen kit to emerge.

Pricklekit made his way eagerly out of the nursery, green eyes bright with an excitement that he'd seen in the eyes of multiple other kits before him. Finally, it was his turn to become an apprentice. The other tom becoming an apprentice before him- and getting the deputy for his mentor, no less!- had really put a burr in his fur, but now that time of waiting was over and he would get what he deserved to get. Hopefully, he'd get a good mentor, and his training would progress quickly enough that he would have no problem catapulting himself straight to the top. He wanted to be a warrior, and serve his Clan- and make no mistake, he'd be one of the greatest warriors of all time. All this was running through his head as he sat proudly under the Highrock, every tuft of bushy fur in place, head held high as it could be. Finally.

Leopardstar, to his amusement, had no need to call Pricklekit forward out of the crowd; the spiky-furred young tom had already seated himself in front of the Highrock.  Offering him a quick smile, the golden spotted leader took a deep breath and began to speak.  "We are gathered here today to welcome yet another of our young into his training as a warrior.  Pricklekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed.  From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Pricklepaw."

Leopardstar paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping the camp for the snowy-white pelt he was looking for, before continuing.  "Your mentor will be Snowdrop.  She received excellent training from my late son Newttongue, and I am confident she will pass all she has learned on to you."

Pricklepaw beamed at the sound of his new name, loving it more every second. The next step to warriorhood! Finally, he'd caught up with the others. He was an apprentice now, and his mentor was...? His ears listened eagerly. When he heard the word "Snowdrop," he was mildly disappointed, and filled with a sense of unfairness that the other tom had gotten the deputy as his mentor, and now he only got a young warrior. But she was pure ThunderClan, and respected by Clanmates, so it wasn't too bad. He stood up straight, head still high, and looked around for his mentor.

Blizzardshine was once more sitting between the gathered cats and beaming with pride and happiness, watching her kit get the apprentice name he had been waiting for so long. She was between the first to chant his name and when his mentor was mentioned she turned to face her. She had nothing against Snowdrop, but the usual nerves of finally having to let her kit go and thrust in her fellow clanmate for their safety and training…dear StarClan, why the queens never told her how hard it was?

“Congratulations, son” She purred after padding towards him, yet stood at a tailenght from him, knowing that he still had to touch noses with his new mentor to conclude the ceremony.

(OOC: SOOOOO sorry for the late reply!)

Snowdrop had to grit her teeth and dig her claws into the ground to keep her fur from prickling in annoyance. What was with these cats who thought they were higher in rank than her giving her cats with tainted blood to train? Seriously! She’d much rather not be a mentor at all!

Well... She couldn’t exactly say that in front of the Clan. She did have some dignity and common sense. Stifling a sigh, she padded up to her new apprentice and touched her nose to his, forcing her icy blue eyes to sparkle with eagerness. ”I look forward to training with you, Pricklepaw,” she lied. This cat had better prove himself to be just as good a forest-born Clan cat, or else she may just have to stall his training. After all, regardless of blood, any cat can do chores.